TV News: Pete, Blood, Sweden, Soul, Narcos

Sneaky PeteAmazon is set to debut the pilot for the Bryan Cranston co-created and co-executive produced series “Sneaky Pete” on August 7th. The project was originally produced for CBS for this coming season, but the network passed on picking it up to series.

The story follows a thirty-something con-man (Giovanni Ribisi) who assumes the identity of his cellmate, Pete, after leaving prison, hiding from his debtors while working for his new family’s bail bond business. Marin Ireland, Margo Martindale, Peter Gerety, Libe Barer and Shane McRae also star. [Source: THR]

Blood DriveSyfy has given a thirteen-episode straight-to-series order for the grindhouse-style drama series “Blood Drive” which John Hlavin (” Underworld: Awakening”) and David Straiton (“Bates Motel”) will executive produce. Straiton will also helm the pilot.

James Roland penned the “high-octane” story set in a near-apocalyptic future centered on the last good L.A. cop who must join a twisted and bloody cross-country death race which includes cars powered by blood and a dangerous woman who sees people as little more than fuel. [Source: The Live Feed]

Welcome to SwedenNBC has cancelled the Sunday comedy “Welcome To Sweden” after two seasons and incredibly low ratings. Amy Poehler executive produced the series along with her brother. The series was the first ever Swedish series shown (subtitles and all) on a major American TV network. [Source: Deadline]

Soul ManTV Land has renewed the Cedric The Entertainer and Sherri Shepherd-led series “The Soul Man” for a twelve-episode fifth season which will be the show’s last.

“Soul Man” has been a solid performer and the network’s highest-rated original series among African Americans aged 25-54 and 2.2 rating among ages 25-54 overall. [Source: Deadline]

NarcosNetflix has unveiled four character posters for their upcoming drug thriller series “Narcos” which premieres all ten of its episodes on August 28th on the streaming service. The posters feature Wagner Moura as Pablo Escobar, Pedro Pascal as Javier Pena, Boyd Holbrook as Steve Murphy and Juan Pablo Raba as Gustavo.

The story chronicles the gripping real-life stories of the infamous drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. [Source: Netflix]